Clean Power

2013 Solar Decathlon Taking Place in Orange County

Published on September 27th, 2013 | by U.S. Energy Information Administration

Solar Decathlon Contestants Have To Transport Houses To Decathlon Site

September 27th, 2013 by U.S. Energy Information Administration

Originally published on the US Department of Energy Website

As if designing and building solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive wasn’t challenging enough, the teams competing in the Solar Decathlon must also overcome another hurdle: Safely transporting their houses to the competition site in Irvine, California. Whether the houses have to travel 50 miles or 10,000, the transportation decisions the teams make can directly impact their final design.

The 300 block of Decathlete Way illuminates with the houses from Canada, Team China and Illinois, from left to right, at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

Early on, teams must decide how they will move their houses, the appliances and furniture for public exhibit, and all the equipment necessary to reassemble the house for the competition. Not only do they have to consider transportation costs, the teams also have to factor in the size restrictions for each mode of transportation. And since the teams only have nine days to reassemble their houses before the start of the competition, they have to plan down to the minute the arrival of their house to the competition site. For the complete story, see the Solar Decathlon website and Energy Blog.

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Tags: 2013 solar decathlon, California, DOE, Irvine, Solar Decathlon, US, US Solar Decathlon

About the Author

U.S. Energy Information Administration -- the EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

http://www.clawcalgaryroofing.com/ Calgary roofing

why would they need to move a house just for a contest?
Shiggity

That seems incredibly wasteful for a contest designed to promote using less materials / energy.
- Wayne Williamson
  
  I think its a good addition considering that the best way to build something like this is in factory. Need to be able to ship and assemble anywhere.